Custom Chin Implant

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a male who would like more vertical length to his chin as well as more horizontal length and projection. However, I am a bit hesitant to do a sliding genioplasty. Is it possible to create a custom chin implant that can achieve vertical length as well as horizontal length–basically, an implant that can get the same appearance as a sliding genioplasty can do? I would be greatly interested in this if it were possible. Thanks so much.

A: You are describing exactly why a custom chin implant is occasionally used. It is to either create dimensional changes to the chin that standard chin implants can not….or to replicate what a sliding genioplasty can do for those patients who want to avoid actually cutting and moving the chin bone.  A custom chin implant is made from the patient’s 3D CT scan and can virtually be designed just about any way one wants. What has to be paid attention to is its size and how much horizontal and vertical increases is it being asked to do. One needs to consider the overlying soft tissues and make sure they can adequately stretch to accommodate the size of the implant.

One aesthetic advantage a custom chin implamt has over a sliding genioplasty is that it can be designed to extend further back along the jawline. This allows for a smooth transition from the chin augmentation backwards which in some sliding genioplasties may result in a stepoff or notch deformity behind the bone cut.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana